Chrysanthemum plant named `Lorikeet`

ABSTRACT

A new plant variety of Chrysanthemum producing dark lavender to red-purple flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a new and distinct variety ofChrysanthemum botanically classified as Dendranthema grandiflora. Thevarietal denomination of the new chrysanthemum is `Lorikeet`.

The female parent of the new variety is the variety known as `Lynn`(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,171) and the male parent is an undistributed,unnamed seedling identified as `G77-C3`. The new variety has beenasexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Ventura County, Calif.and the distinguishing characteristics are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

`Lorikeet` is a pot type Chrysanthemum plant variety that produces darklavender to red purple flowers.

Comparison With `Lynn`

`Lorikeet` differs from the female parent in producing a more compactplant with smaller and more numerous lavender purple flowers in contrastto very light pink flowers of `Lynn`.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietywith colors being as nearly true as possible with illustrations of thistype.

FIG. 1 is a whole plant view of the new cultivar grown in a pot.

FIG. 2 is a closer view, showing inflorescence and foliagecharacteristics of the new cultivar in greater detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following description of the new variety is of specimens grown in agreenhouse in Ventura County, Calif. in the month of October, `Lorikeet`has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary with variations in the environment such astemperature, light intensity, day length and cultural conditions. Thecolor designations herein are from The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart except where general terms are used.

To produce a commercial product the plants may be pinched once ten daysafter planting which results in about 3 to 4 breaks per pinch. It hasbeen observed that the shelf life of `Lorikeet` is about 19-22 days withthe response time of about 6.5 weeks. No treatment with growth retardantis required. Useful growing conditions include night temperatures ofabout 64°-66° F., day temperatures of about 80°-85° F. and about 5,000foot-candles of light.

Plant:

Habit.--Short, compact, mounding.

Height.--About 16 cm.

Number of breaks from pinch.--About 3 to 4.

Typical container sizes

commercially grown in.--4", 6", 1 gallon pots.

Length of lateral branches.--About 8 cm.

Stem Color.--Near 144A.

Foliage:

Leaf arrangement.--Alternate.

Number of leaves per lateral branch.--About 12 fully expanded leaves.

Leaf size.--Length: About 4.3 cm. Width: About 3.8 cm.

Leaf shape.--Ovate.

Attachment.--Petioled.

Leaf apex.--Obtuse.

Base.--Truncate.

Margin.--Serrate, palmately lobed.

Aspect.--Very slight down curve.

Surface.--Top: Lightly pubescent. Bottom: Pubescent.

Petiole Length.--About 0.7 cm.

Stipules.--Not present.

Color.--Mature leaf: Top: Near 147A. Bottom: Near 137B. Young leaf: Top:Near 137A. Bottom: Near 137B.

Flower:

Inflorescence form.--Cyme.

Flower form.--Decorative.

Number of blooms per branch.--About 10.

Diameter of fully expanded bloom.--About 3.5 cm.

Depth of fully expanded bloom.--About 1.5 cm.

Longevity of bloom.--About 19-22 days.

Sepal number.--About 35.

Color.--Near 137A.

General appearance of sepals.--Thick and tightly held; very littlemembrane.

Peduncle length.--About 2.5 cm. Habit: Sharply angled. Surface: Highlypubescent. Strength: Very sturdy.

Flower bud.--Diameter: About 0.7 cm. Height: About 0.4 cm.

Ray florets.--Number per flower: About 140 . Shape: Oblanceolate. Apex:Obtuse, 3 lobed. Base: Tapered. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Curved up.Length: About 1.6 cm. Width: About 0.6 cm.

Disc florets.--Number per flower: About 2. Shape: Tubular. Length: About0.3 cm. Width: About 0.08 cm.

Fragrance.--None.

Flower color:

General flower description.--Dark lavender to red-purple decorative;very flat flower form with evenly radiating ray florets.

Ray florets, top side.--Immature: Near 74 B. Mature: Near 74C. Fading:Near 74D.

Ray floret, under side.--Immature: Near 70A. Mature: Near 74C. Fading:Near 70C.

Disc florets.--Mature: Near 12A.

Changes as the flower ages.--Outermost ray florets fading with age,flower from remains flat; flower eventually turns brown and dry on theplant.

Reproductive Organs:

Ray Florets.--Pistillate. Stigma shape: Branched, curled. Stigma color:Near 8A. Style length: About 0.3 cm.

Disc Florests: Stigma shape: Linear. Style Length: About 0.15 cm. Stamennumber: About 6 . Anther length: About 0.1 cm. Pollen color: Near 16A.Pollen quantity: Moderate in individual disc florets.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant of thevariety